Ceruloplasmin, serum copper, and urine copper studies are recommended prior to submitting sample. Test includes sequencing of exons 1 through 21 and analysis for the common Sardinian promoter mutation.

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results from the body's inability to excrete excess copper. Typically, the liver releases excess copper into the bile. Individuals with WD lack the necessary enzyme that facilitates clearance of copper from the liver to bile. As a result, copper accumulates first in the liver and gradually in other organs. The brain, kidneys, bones, and corneas can also be affected. WD affects approximately 1 in 30,000 people worldwide, with a carrier frequency of approximately 1 in 90 individuals.

The primary clinical manifestations of WD are hepatic and neurologic. Hepatic disease can be quite variable, ranging from hepatomegaly or other nonspecific symptoms that mimic viral hepatitis to severe liver damage, such as cirrhosis. Neurologic symptoms of WD can include poor fine-motor coordination, ataxia, and dysphagia. Psychiatric manifestations are reported in approximately 20% of individuals with WD. A characteristic ophthalmologic finding is the Kayser-Fleischer ring. Individuals with WD typically begin to show symptoms of liver dysfunction or neurologic disease in the first or second decade of life. If not treated, WD can cause liver failure, severe brain damage, and even death.

A variety of laboratory tests are recommended in the initial evaluation for WD. In approximately 95% of cases, serum ceruloplasmin is below normal. Additionally, patients with WD show decreased copper in serum, increased copper in urine, and significantly elevated copper on liver biopsy. While liver biopsy is not recommended as a first-tier screening test for WD, it can be useful to help interpret discrepant biochemical or molecular results. The other tests should be performed prior to sequence analysis of the ATP7B gene, the gene responsible for WD. More than 300 disease-causing mutations have been identified in the ATP7B gene. Most mutations are family-specific with the exception of the H1069Q mutation, which accounts for >50% of identified disease alleles in the Northern European Caucasian population.

See Wilson Disease Testing Algorithm in Special Instructions for additional information.

A small percentage of individuals who are carriers or have a diagnosis of Wilson disease (WD) may have a mutation that is not identified by this method (eg, large genomic deletions, promoter mutations). The absence of a mutation, therefore, does not eliminate the possibility of positive carrier status or the diagnosis of WD. For carrier testing, it is important to first document the presence of an ATP7B gene mutation in an affected family member.

In some cases, DNA alterations of undetermined significance may be identified.

Rare polymorphisms exist that could lead to false-negative or false-positive results. If results obtained do not match the clinical and biochemical findings, additional testing should be considered.

A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. Call Mayo Medical Laboratories for instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant.

Test results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings, family history, and other laboratory data. Errors in our interpretation of results may occur if information given is inaccurate or incomplete.

Supportive Data

Ninety-six normal Caucasian specimens were screened for the presence of benign polymorphisms in the ATP7B gene. Selected exons from 21 of these specimens were confirmed by direct sequencing to have at least a single polymorphism. One normal specimen was found to be a carrier of an ATP7B mutation (IVS11-2A->G). Five Wilson disease patients with known ATP7B mutations were sequenced with 100% concordance.